newgene

I am about to change my harmonic balancer on my 98 LS1. Is it a good idea to change the crank seal, or is it better to not mess with it? It is not leaking, but I'm just wondering if this is common practice to change it while I'm there.

02 z/28

iTrader: (19)

leave it

thechef

iTrader: (13)

if its not leaking then i would leave it

h8s2w8

iTrader: (3)

Im with them ^^^ If it aint broke dont fix it !!!

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I would change it.

The newer replacement seal is a better seal. The old one is worn in to the current balancer, no guarantee it won't leak with a new one. Its also a cheap part from GM. GM Service Manual specifically states not to re-use. With the amount of work to change later, why would you leave it in place on a 9 year old motor?

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

I would change it. $4 part, not worth an oil leak.

98SS1LWEE

iTrader: (25)

Good luck finding someone with it in stock. I had to buy the timing gasket kit, which included water pump gaskets, tining cover gasket, crankshaft seal, allf or fifty bucks. I would leave it alone if it's not leaking and change if you ever do cam, timing chain, or oil pump.

mr2guru

iTrader: (16)

$4? last time I bought one at the dealer it listed for $28. Although they knocked it down to $18.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I bought one two days ago, $12.43 was the price.

98SS1LWEE

iTrader: (25)

they priced me 12 and some change when i went to get it, but took a week. Was already ready to put timing cover back on, so opted for in stock timng cover gasket kit which included.

newgene

Actually, I already have the seal. I ordered it with the balancer. It was about $10 I believe. I don't mind changing it at all. I was just wondering if it was one of those, If it ain't broke don't fix it, things.

By the way, is there anything special about the orientation of the new balancer that I need to know about? Do I need to mark its position or anything before changing them out?

Thanks

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

According to the manual, yes match mark and then transfer the weights accordingly.

newgene

I'm waiting for my manuals to come in this week. Are there really weights on the balancer pulley? I had no idea, but then again, this is my change. I'm sure it will make a hell of a lot more sense once I get into it.